How are

Canadian Conservatives and U.S. Republicans alike?




They don't believe in being answerable to anyone (such as the voters)
and don't care who they hurt with their politics...
(This is just so people know what Harper's proroguing of
parliament is really about.)

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Heh.

When Is Religion a Religion? Canada's Rights Laws Continue to Astound

While I'm sure some Atheists will be happy to be considered on a par with organized religions, others will be dismayed that their beliefs are lumped in with other groups that are considered being based on 'faith'. I'll just capitalize the words 'Atheist' and 'Atheism' for now...

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This is true.

Chalice again among Canada’s top charities

The article is a little older, but the news hasn't changed. I've always liked Chalice as a charity and it has always been one of the most faithful and transparent charities in existence. I wouldn't hesitate to give them a donation...

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Mr. Harper

may find that there are repercussions to trying to run parliament with an iron fist and to push through disparate items under the guise of a budget bill.

Tories fear marathon voting session may have exhausted political capital

He may find the repercussions not only in his own MLAs but also in the 39% of the public that supported him at election time...

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Never let it be said

that politicians in Canada can't work together.

On vote after vote, Conservatives quash C-38 amendments

You caught the sarcasm in my comment, didn't you? There's no working together. The Conservatives continue down their road to destroying democracy in Canada by destroying the fabric of the Canadian Parliamentary system. If you want to do anything you'll have to take it to King Harper first. It's very sad to watch this. In some countries it is done by violence and revolution. In Canada it is done slowly, through political tricks and manoeuvring, until the same effect is accomplished.

And we all sit here with our heads in the sand, watching it happen...

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Canada's Undemocratic Government

Budget bill debate set for shutdown as marathon vote looms

"Hundreds of opposition amendments grouped for dozens of votes starting as early as tomorrow night"

Elizabeth May, the only Green Party MP. seems to be the only representative truly willing to do what is necessary to try, as difficult as it is, to hold the Mr. Harper's Conservative Government to account for everything that has been stuffed into his Omnibus Budget Bill that has nothing to do with a budget. The Conservatives are using this bill to push through a great deal of its pet ideological changes without oversight and trying to limit debate on the same. What does that mean? Basically, it means that they are trying to subvert the democratic process the same way Mr Harper did when he prorogued Parliament. Mr. Harper has no desire, it seems, to govern democratically, but only wants to have things his way and he will subvert and scheme in order to do that.

Democracy isn't on his agenda. You have to remember that he used to be a lobbyist for a party that wanted to leave Confederation. He wants to rule, and he believes he has the right to rule. Which seems to be the general belief of all far-right conservative politicians actually...

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A perfect example

of a government out of control and answerable to no one.

Oda's staff silent on travel expense changes: Expenses 're-examined' but no details given

This is a government that campaigned on the issue of transparency. Of being answerable to the people. Now they are the most protective, closed and unanswerable government we've had in years. They are a perfect example of a government that cares only about themselves and their own ideology.

There is nothing about serving the people in this government. It's only about serving themselves and their small group of supporters...

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Of course it is

CP Railway union says collective bargaining 'under attack': Teamsters say management isn't bargaining because the government promised legislation

I think it would be fair to suggest that the federal government would enthusiastically work hand-in-hand with large corporations to destroy untions and the labour movement. It's only now that they have a clear majority that they are showing their true face, both federally and provincially. I can't believe that anyone with the slightest bit of political acumen and knowledge of history would think any differently, or be surprised...

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He certainly

lets his feelings be known.

Pathetic student protests should target the education system

But, he also has some very valid points. I just don't think he has much time for what he probably considers spoiled young people. That'd be my guess...

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'Mister' Black lives his own reality

Conrad Black and his fight to regain his Canadian citizenship


There are so many good quotations in this editorial that you'll just have to read it. Suffice to say that Mr. Black is not paying any attention to the rest of the world's reality and only the reality he believes in, which isn't anyone else's other than his, and perhaps his wife's.

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Slowly

Hundreds arrested as police use kettling in latest Montreal student protest

" A recent report by Ontario’s police watchdog blasted Toronto police for their use of kettling during the G20 summit two years ago, saying they violated civil rights, detained people illegally and used excessive force."

This is where our civil rights are going under the new right wing governments...

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I listened to an interview with him

The U.N. official, that is.

Food for thought: Why David Olive is ashamed to be a Canadian today

We're a 1st World developed country that had its first food bank start in 1990 as a temporary measure. They're now a fixture. In a country driven by Capitalism, it may be that the food banks actually fulfilled a purpose for our Capitalist leaders - they took away the guilt and political issues that would accompany people starving in their homes or on the street and lessened the possibility of violence over the lack of food. For the politicians it was all win.

This is a national disgrace. Jason Kenney has the gall to suggest that the U.N. shouldn't chastise us. Perhaps it may be our place to remind Mr. Kenney that his government is failing in one of the most basic of tasks - providing food for those most impoverished in his own country. Great thing those blinkers, aren't they Mr. Kenney?

The only plus in this is that we're one step better than the U.S. - they tried everything possible to prevent the U.N. from even collecting data in their country - so that makes us one step up. Whoopee. Some great place to be.

I, too, am ashamed to be a Canadian today. I'm ashamed to live in a country that lets poverty like this happen. I'm ashamed to live in a country that can elect such a heartless and uncaring government...

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We've missed it

I'll have to watch for this to see if it is on another time. I'd like to see it.

Bruce Cockburn and his longing for home

I've always loved his music, and even though his music doesn't have specifically religious lyrics, there's a spiritual element to it that has caused his music to be listed on lists of contemporary Christian artists (probably much to his chagrin, given the industry).

He has been doing this for so many years. He came through my city on a tour, singing in school auditioriums, when I was a senior in high school, I think I was just a couple of years younger than him. I've always thought that he was incredible as a musician and lyricist...

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I reiterate...

...how to win friends and influence people.
(That is, if the authorities are correct in who they believe in responsible - student protestors.)

Smoke bombs shut down Montreal's metro system

I think it's not the main group of student activists responsible but the fringe group that is always involved in these sort of protests - the anarchists, revolutionaries, etc., who always take advantage of a protest to stuff their radical acts in with the rest, probably hoping to achieve their ends on the backs of those who are peacefully protesting. I haven't much use for them myself. I feel more strongly called to the peaceful path rather than the path of violence and chaos...

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One could ask

another question.

Whither Free Speech?

And that other question would be 'Whither courage?'

A very large number of Harper's Conservatives ran on Pro-Life platforms. Where are they when the time comes to stick up for one of their number? Or Mr. Harper himself, the ex-lobbyist with the Western separatist Reform party, who has publicly said that he won't allow the question to be re-opened? Where are these people when it comes to stand up with courage for their convictions? Nowhere. Pragmatists all, knowing that they place their chances at re-election in danger is they support Mr. Woodworth, and they place their own place in the party and in the government in danger from their own leader, the before-mentioned Western separatist...

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Now, finally,

after enough time to feel secure in power, Premier Wall's right-wing government begins its slow process of dismantling unions in Saskatchewan.

Labour law under scrutiny: Public asked for input

How much do you want to bet that the only 'public' they'll listen to is that which supports their position?

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Toronto got what they wanted

Canada's answer to Rush Limbaugh...

Rob Ford threatens media blackout unless Star removes reporter from city hall beat

...another ultra-conservative fringe politician.

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Apparently, very special

Just how special is Lord Black's residency permit?


Ahhh, to be part of the ruling elite, not bound by petty laws and restrictions that hinder the serfs and peasants of our fair land...

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Actually,

based on the government's own laws and general practices, this sounds like another conservative untruth.

Jason Kenney rejects ‘ridiculous’ NDP claims of Conrad Black ‘special treatment’

Lord Black, with his purchased British aristocracy, certainly seems to be receiving preferential treatment. And a convicted criminal, yet! I guess when it is one of their own nothing really matters to these right wing politicos...

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I wonder,

are there any extant images of her from the period?

Toronto pilgrims to take in canonization of Blessed Kateri

I wonder only because, as happy as I am about this event, probably as happy as most people in fact, the picture they're using to depict Blessed Kateri presents a pretty Anglo look, and I don't mean this in any racist manner. Even her colour seems to be a product of shade and surrounding colour and not her race. I'm only wondering because of what so many artists have done to our Lord in their art, making him as Caucasion as possible, leaving out any trace of his real heritage...

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